English newsКлуб &quot;Ротари Минск&quot; Дистрикт 2240, Ротари Интернэшнлhttp://rotary.org.by
Tue, 26 Sep 2017 21:40:11 +0000Joomla! 1.5 - Open Source Content Managementru-ruThe Theatre Director, the Rotarian Neeme Kuningas Put «Rigoletto» on the Stage in Minskhttp://rotary.org.by/current-news/item/717-the-theatre-director-the-rotarian-neeme-kuningas-put-rigoletto-on-the-stage-in-minsk
http://rotary.org.by/current-news/item/717-the-theatre-director-the-rotarian-neeme-kuningas-put-rigoletto-on-the-stage-in-minskThe Estonian director Neeme Kuningas, the author more than hundred performances – operas, operettas and musicals which he put on the stages of many countries of the world, returned an opera masterpiece on the Minsk stage.

The opera Rigoletto – top of creativity not only Giuseppe Verdi, but also one of the highest tops in quatercentenary history of world opera art as a whole. This performance has hundreds scenic interpretations. A new production of «Rigoletto» became the sixth in the history of the Opera and Ballet House in Minsk, and in the creative biography to Neeme Kuningas who was until recently the main director of the Tallinn theater «Estonia» – the third appeal to Verdi's masterpiece. Neeme didn't begin to copy last productions. He submitted the new author's version. Moreover, as the director claims, productions for three structures of actors don't copy each other, and have the distinctions considering specific features of singers.

The rotating design which was thought up the art director from Finland by Anna Kontek, allowed to exclude practically in performance loss of time for change of scene. Thanks to this function action doesn't lose the dynamics.

Important element of treatment of character of Rigoletto who offered Neeme Kuningas – the clown and the humpback on a plot at it is that for fun. Coming home, he removes the hump together with a fool's cap and hangs up on a hanger in a hall. He becomes very similar to the character of the movie Leos Carax «Holy Motors». Thus, remaining in a form classical and traditional, production gets elements of a modern art house.

Neeme came to the meeting of the Rotary Club of Minsk and told about his work in The Opera and Ballet House. According to tradition, the President of Club Galina Shabailova received from the guest as a gift a Rotarian Banner from Estonia and handed over to him one from Belarus. The guest received one more gift – the book about modern art «25 years to the Vitebsk festival of modern choreography» which was published with the Belarusian Rotarian support. Also many kind words are told about remarkable Estonian dancing collective «Fine Five» in this book. As it became clear, Neeme had to cooperate with these actors closely. We found general friends.

As told Neeme Kuningas, he felt very comfortably in Minsk, because he graduated the same school of art, as the Belarusian actors. When the director and actors understand theatre through psychological realism similar, it is easy and simply to find a common language. Besides, the director remained is very happy with quality of a vocal and professional level of the Belarusian actors.

The premiere of the performance «Rigoletto» took place on March 1st and 2nd. It was accepted by the Belarusian audience enthusiastically. Neeme Kuningas and the members of Rotary Club of Minsk became good friends.

On Tuesday December 10 in the State Research and Practical Center of children oncology and hematology was a significant event: the first temporary house was donated to the Center by Embassy of Poland.

When in 1997 the Children Oncological Center was put up, was planned construction of the second bulk, where parents of sick children can live. For this purpose the respective territory was allocated and communications are laid. Construction projects were started three times in 15 years. But nevertheless, construction cost even in calculations turned out all the time such high, what even the most generous eventually gave up.

Now children’s parents who don't have a place in the medical bulk, are compelled to look for housing in Borovlyany, or to go on procedures from Minsk. It is deadly for children, whose immunity is weakened by chemotherapy and easily catches any infection. The treatment is very long. It is necessary to go on procedures for 2-3 months. It is natural that it costs expensive and not each parent is able to afford (citizens of Belarus receive treatment free of charge in the Center).

The solution came together with emergence of new technologies. In Belarus after Western Europe mastered production of so called mobile houses. Such houses are produced in the gild and are ready to be fixed during one day. As the house has no foundation, it stands on four metal props and it can be any time removed. It does not need a long and high price procedure of designing and coordination.

Specially for Children Oncological Centre in Borovlyany the company «Domex» developed a project of a house for two families with general entrance and a kitchen and separate bedroom and bathroom. Such project allows to live in the house quite a long time if it is needed (its floor space is app. 25 sq. m) for two families – a mother and a kid. It is possible to live in the house during the whole year, it is equipped by heating apparatus, the wall thicknesses of 15 cm allows to get easy with the temperatures till -25 C in the winter. Other communications – water, electricity, canalization are easy to plumb to existing infrastructure.

The building company «Felix» made geodetic survey of the territory and project documents for the communications as a charitable event. It turned out that it is possible to put 20 mobile houses on the territory of the Clinic, it means 40 more patients could get there treatment.

Now it is necessary to find only money for purchase of twenty houses and for laying of communications. The necessary sum is 700 thousand euros. Though the sum is 5 times less, than it is required on capital construction, but too big. However, there is an opportunity to put houses one by one in process of collecting of money.

Many public organizations which cooperate for a long time with the Children Oncological Center showed a great interest to the project. First of all is the society «Children in Trouble» uniting parents which children are treated for oncological diseases. The chairman of society Evgeniy Ukraintsev has already done a lot to this project. Thanks to his efforts charitable societies from Holland, Spain and Ireland have already expressed readiness to take part in the project. Part of money has already arrived into the Belarusian accounts.

The initial and most laborious work was assumed by the Belarusian members of Rotary Club of Minsk. The Rotarian Mikhail Davydik, the employee of the company «Felix», headed group of the engineers who have created technical documentation for laying of communications. The Rotarian Andrey Zharinov’s company «Prefabricated concrete plant» worked on a building ground. The company took part in the tender for creation of communications and won it, having completely refused the profit.

Priorbank also took an active part in the project. The director of the secretariat Lyudmila Nevyglas actively joined in the project and attracted in it a number of partners of bank. Thus, it is possible to say that Priorbank will paid 6 houses for Borovlyany at least.

The first house took place near the medical bulk of Oncological Center thanks to Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Belarus. At the initiative of the ambassador of the Republic of Poland Leshek Sherepka were voted 30 thousand euros for the Children Oncological Center. This money sufficed on construction of the first house of future pension and on a playground.

The fund «Polish Help» has been participating in charitable events in Belarus for a long time. Repairs were made in the Belarusian orphanages and shelters at the expense of fund many times. However the first house of pension in Borovlyany has special, symbolical value. Until the end of the project still far but there is the first house and everybody can see that as the project goes and develops. Even if future building ground is hidden under snow, but two more houses are framing in the gild. But the main thing is that everyone who will become interested in the project, can come into a house, look as it is arranged inside, to be convinced that in the winter in it isn't cold.

The ceremony of donation of a children's playground and temporary house took place solemnly, but without excess grandiosity. The ambassador of the Republic of Poland Leshek Sherepka handed over to the director Olga Aleynikova the folder with the documents confirming the fact of transfer of material values in gift.

The First Deputy Minister of Health Dmitriy Pinevich noted importance and significance of event for Republic of Belarus. Guests and participants of the project exchanged short speeches and then went outside to the house.

Now there is a lot of snow on the building ground. But in spring as soon as snow will descend, work here will begin and pension «Borovlyany» can be plotted.

On the photo, on the path from left to right: First secretary of Embassy of Poland in Republic of Belarus Pavel Yessa, Plenipotentiary ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Republic of Belarus Leshek Sherepka, chairman of fund «Children in Trouble» Evgeniy Ukraintsev, director of the State Research and Practical Center of children oncology and hematology Olga Aleynikova, former vice-chairman of Humanitarian department Vladimir Chavko, First Deputy Minister of Health of Republic of B elarus Dmitriy Pinevich.

The next meeting «At intersections of Europe» took place in a patrimonial Radzivill nest, the richest and influential family of the Lithuanian Principality.

After five years restoration works the ancient palace became practically the most popular tourist object in Belarus. For the first half a year after opening it was visited by half a million tourists. And it is made no wonder because except ancient history the full-fledged modern complex here is created: cafe, restaurant, hotel, shopping center. Now you can come to Nesvizh to relax with your family or friends for some days. The complex and park adjoining to it are huge. So, despite very saturated program, participants of a meeting «At intersections of Europe» managed to look at only small part of that offers Nesvizh.

The weather forecast for September 21-22, when our Rotarian meeting was planned, was quite disturbing. Weather forecasters promised almost a Flood – well, a continuous and pouring rain, at least. As the most part of a meeting had to pass in open-air, the pouring rain wasn't in our plans. However, really rainy weather was absolutely suitable for action.

The guests came to Nesvizh from different countries, but all of them were discipline, because our joint dinner and the first excursion were on time. Loretta Bosiene and Loreta Karalyute, from women's Rotary Club «Queen Louise» (Lithuania, Klaipeda), came to Belarus for the first time.

And at once pleasant surprises began. Rotary Club's guests led in the place, where usually there is no entrance for tourists. Observation decks are a small territory on fortifications with very cool slopes. One careless movement and it is possible to roll down head over heels in a ditch approximately from 10-meter height. When there are a lot of people, it can be dangerous. But a magnificent view on system of lakes and channels, and also on old park which occupies the territory about one hundred hectares were worth it to rise to these observation decks.

Among guests there was known in Belarus pictorialist Irena Gudiyevskaya, therefore quality of photos was guaranteed.

The guests started to take photos, but even the cameras of good quality aren't capable to catch in a shot all beauty which opens from castle walls.

These are our joint first photos.

Certainly, flag of the Rotary Club «Minsk» didn't rise by Everest and didn't fly to space unlike other Rotarian flags, but it was in the most ancient and nice historical places of Belarus.

Further there was one more pleasant and romantic surprise – a dive to the underground passage. During restoration of adits it was found quite a lot (and it is obvious that isn't found even more). This fragment of an underground vault is only which is safe and available to employees of a museum (or to especially dear visitors) for today.

Initially this adit intended for supply by ammunition of the soldiers battling on castle walls. So it isn't especially adapted for tourists walks. But both the underground passage and its vicinities were perfectly suitable for expressive pictures: the guest of the Club designer of clothes Natasha Potkina took with her two charming children Lev and Evelina, a member of Rotary Club Sergey Zhdanovich and a guest from Germany Evgeniy.

The underground passage brought to the following observation deck, on the other side of the castle. This place was extremely suitable for romantic family photos, and the member of RC «Minsk» Andrey Zharinov and his wife Anjelica used this opportunity.

The group went down from castle walls in ancient autumn gloomy park. Rotarians walked along the whole gallery of various park sculptures, which have legends or interesting stories.

There is something that grants wishes in any good tourist place. We have such a good place in Nesvizh. The wish will be granted if you touch the text that is on the stone.

The guide assured that action of a stone was repeatedly checked and wishes were granted. But you need to wait for some years, because a lot of tourists is coming to Nesvizh. However, some don't wait, and simply do the part and achieve success: the guests of the Club Leonora and Vladimir Isaenya.

After that there was one more excursion. It was inside of the castle. Then the guests visited a family burial-vault of the Radzivili. It is in Farny church near castle complex. Further some events were deployed during a friendly dinner.

The special certificates, that confirming stay on the Belarusian land, were prepared for our guests. They were handed by Past-President Alexandr Anishchenko.

Lithuanian RC «Kaunas» was presented by Eduardas Chernulis. People from Minsk have carried out the big charitable project for pupils of the orphanage in Oshmyany for 4 years with this club.

Rotary Club «Varshava-Belveder» was presented by Martin Grodskiy. Belarusians are already connected by a lot of things with this Rotary Club and even more planned on the future.

Belarusians got acquainted with young Rotary Club «Queen Louise» from Klaipeda during Rotariada in Druskininkaye. There is no doubt, this is a beginning of great friendship.

Guests also arrived with gifts.

A charitable lottery with fund raising in advantage for Nursing home of the city of Nesvizh was one of the main action. The member of the RС «Minsk»Svetlana Kobachevskaya presented to guests lots – the various things that made by people's hands that live in Nursing home – as a rule, pleasant and useful things in a life. Some of them was found at once practical application. For example, warm knitted «grandmother's» socks in quite cool and damp evening were useful at once.

Small chocolates were in the lottery drum instead of lottery tickets – a quite good consolation prize for those who won nothing at all. All «tickets» were bought up completely. As a result, it was succeeded to collect the sum equivalent of 500 dollars for veterans. That it is quite enough to get for them two boilers for water heating.

The song was performed by 7-year-old Evelina Potkina. It marked the dinner termination, but not a program.

The owner of the castle Michal Radzivill, his wife and the daughter waited for guests on a night promenade.

Dear visitors led to the Gold hall – the most beautiful and solemn, really worthy room of kings of the palace.

Welcoming speeches were accompanied by live music performed with ancient tools. It was approximately such what had listened Radzivill's family here.

Guests of honor were conducted in the following hall. It is devoted to the hunting – the most favourite entertainment of castle owners. Here it was possible to play game on the well-known billiard table, which responded a unique melody on each ball which has got to a billiard pocket.

Urshula, the daughter of the owner, told about her passion on the theatre.

She showed how theatrical cars work and started a magic lamp.

All this wise theatrical mechanics found application rather often, because they had three theatres. Now this mechanics is exposed in the palace at an entrance to a Theatrical hall.

In the Theatrical hall where guests comfortably took place on ancient chairs, they were waited by the main event of evening. It was a meeting with the Black young lady. The love story of Barbara and Sigismund, who was the king of The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, is worthy Shakespeare's feather. Love and death go hand in hand in this story, but Barbara's ghost still disturbs imagination of visitors of the castle.

It wasn’t the end of the story. After visiting the The guests went to the operating chapel after visiting the Theatrical hall. It’s situated in the palace and famous for its tremendous acoustics. «Ave Maria» sounded for our guests. It was performed by a harmonium and flute. Everybody had opportunity to think about eternity and love.

Hospitable castle owners left the castle to say goodbye to us, and certainly, didn't refuse to be photographed for memory.

It was late, but the hotel was nearby as it is a part of a castle complex.

The majority of guests wished walking in the park after reception in the castle and even the drizzling rain frightened nobody. Despite eventful Saturday, absolutely short night,the next Sunday morning many got up very early. Walking in the park is romantic and picturesque in the morning.

Also there is a chance to meet Young lady of Nesvizh on the bank of the lake who looks thoughtfully afar.

The autumn landscape of Nesvizh is good.

The gloomy medieval yard is very good for taking photos. It was estimated by Svetlana Kobachevskaya (RC «Minsk») and Rimvidas Baranauskas (RC «Vilnius»).

On Sunday conference in the Hetman hall of the palace took place. It is the most beautiful room that is closed for tourists.

The President of RC «Minsk» Galina Shabaylova told to guests about the Belarusian projects and invited to cooperation.

Representatives of each club (there were representatives of five clubs) had an opportunity to tell about the clubs and about the projects.

Marcin Grodsky (RC «Varshava-Belveder») was the last who took a word at the conference. He promised to come to Belarus more often.

Here we also decided that it is necessary to continue to communicate, go to each other on a visit, realize useful and interesting projects. Generally, Rotary exists for this purpose.

Text: Yury BudkoPhoto: Irena Gudievskaya, Yury Budko

]]>English newsFri, 25 Oct 2013 11:11:30 +0000Belarusian Rotarians greet the New Year in the House of Friendshiphttp://rotary.org.by/current-news/item/681-belarusian-rotarians-greet-the-new-year-in-the-house-of-friendship
http://rotary.org.by/current-news/item/681-belarusian-rotarians-greet-the-new-year-in-the-house-of-friendship

In the Belarusian House of Friendship on the street Zakharova was the ceremony of inauguration of the new chairmen of the three Rotary clubs in Minsk.

In Rotary do not like long meetings, pathos and officialdom. However, once a year, at the beginning of July is really a very important event that is worth mentioning as it is possible more solemn. Start a new Rotary year and the coming into office of the new club chairman - not a mere formality. Begins a new period starting new projects, and the new leader is often contributes to the club's major policy adjustments.

Small and cozy hall of the House of Friendship, which were Rotarian events at the beginning of the activities of the club 20 years ago, has once again opened its doors to welcome Rotarians and guests of the event. Duration of reporting and welcoming speeches were limited to three minutes, so that at the opening nobody was bored.

However, it was impossible not to dwell on the most important events that happened in the life of the Belarusian clubs during the cadence from July 2012 to July 2013. Of course, the most visible and successful project of the cadence was Rotarian Charity Ball of Flowers, which took place on April 6. About it told the chief inspirer and organizer of the ball, paste-chairman of the Rotary club "Minsk" 2011/12 Michael Hochman. And not only told, but he also handed honorary Rotarian diplomas.

Sounded sincere gratitude to the leadership of House of Moscow. Perhaps this is the only building in Minsk, which is ideal for such unusual and special occasions, as a charity ball. Thanksgiving diploma was handed over to Svetlana Panteleeva. She is an administrator to the House of Moscow.

To guide of the Musical Theatre diploma was handed to Tatiana Nikanovich. The Symphony Orchestra of the Musical Theatre has created the very unique atmosphere of Ball, which was noted by all who was there. The director of the theatre Alexander Petrovich and the conductor Yuri Galyas helped Rotary to arrange this holiday. The Musical Theatre at the Rotary meeting was represented by Tatiana Nikanovich, who has done a lot to feast took place.

Also the head of event agency "BonBon" Elena Bondarenko received f lot of words of appreciation.She has invested a lot of energy and individual initiative in this project.

Club Rotaract "Minsk" received the Charter only in February 2013. However, during its short history it has already managed to make a lot of things. Activists of the club have become indispensable helpers in almost all the projects of RC "Minsk", which require assistance of volunteers. The club had enough its projects. Marina Zoric, charter president of the club and Julia Grin has received deservedly honorary diplomas.

President of Rotary Club "City" Marina Rudakova told us about the club that has been done and what is planned for the future.

With such a brief report took the word president of RC ''Ratusha''/"Town Hall" Yuri Polyakov.

Traditionally,the representative of the Governor of District 2230 in Belarus Sergei Filippov summed up.

The representative of the Fund Rotary Michael Davydik will do a lot of work ia a new cadence, because a series of joint-matching grants are planned. In addition to the June 1, 2013 came into force new rules of registration and obtaining grants. They have yet to master.

Treasurer of the Belarusian part of the D-2239 Igor Vorobyov also have to make in a cadence 2013/14 a lot of effort to keep finance and accounting Rotary is still clear and transparent.

After a short mandatory accounting reports was announced musical break. Mikhail Lila, twice winner of the President's Fund to support talented youth showed two romances before Rotarians Michael is one of the most promising young talents of Belarus. At 19 years old, he is already a winner of several international singing competitions and festivals. In the meantime he is just studing.

Finally, came the most important moment of the ceremony is the transfer of symbols of the club presidents.

Incoming Presidents of three clubs in Minsk received from the President 2013/14 attribute of his office.It is the president's necklace, Silver Rotary wheel on a special tape.

Rotaract "Minsk" also took part in the procedure. The new president of the club Anatoly Murashkevich received a president sign from the hands of the charter president of Marina Zorich. Special sign for a new club arrived in Minsk from specialized Rotary workshop in Mumbai just a week before the ceremony.

New presidents also addressed to the audience with brief treatments. Alexander Krasovsky (RC "City") said that the policy of the club will build in a close and friendly interaction with other Belarusian clubs.

Alexei Kolb (RC "City Hall") took the right time to hand icon to a new member of his Rotary club.

The cadence of Galina Shabaylovova will be very special. During this period RC "Minsk" will celebrate a significant date - the 20th anniversary since its inception. In addition, Galina was the first in the history of the Belarusian Rotary female president.

In connection with this wonderful fact of "Women's Caucus" RC "Minsk", Svetlana Kobachevskaya and Catherine Ignatov Galina did a special gift: a butterfly from Swarovski crystal, brought from the Fifth Avenue.

Past-president of the club 2012/13 Yuri Bud'ko also made a gift. It was a set of "brand" containers to keep records of the club, as well as a scarf, which is used as an ornament symbolism of the Rotary future cadence. And he, too, is not without a gift was and got out of hand Galina a tie with the same brand of Rotary ornament.

At the same time the official part was over. Galina Shabaylova, а chairman of the Rotary club "Minsk" 2013/14 notified about this by traditional kick in the Rotorian bell.

Rotarians and guests gradually moved to the informal part of the meeting. It is communication, which is always in Rotary is an important point of any event.

Introduction to the buffet table took place under the natural sounds of the blues.

Guest of the meeting, the interim attorney of the USA in Belarus Goldrich Eaton (Eton Goldrich) found interesting interlocutors, their compatriots. Gary and John Kaylin, members of the Rotary club "Minsk", citizens of the USA are in Belarus, with the mission of working in the charitable society "Sophia.

Gradually, all the participants have moved into a charming courtyard of the Friendship House and a warm July evening disposed.

In the yard was the last event on the agenda is a charity lottery. Souvenirs made by talented children from orphanages were played out. Less than an hour was bought lottery tickets in the amount of $ 1,300. The money will be transferred to The Rotary Foundation for the fight against polio.

The 1st Rotarian Charity Ball in Belarus took place in Minsk in the beginning of April. The aim of the ball was to gather funds for a purchase of medical ventilators for disabled children who suffer from muscle myopathy.

The organizing committee of the ball, made up of volunteers, had been preparing the event for almost a year. Besides the members of the club, representatives of Dom Moskvi, musicians of the Orchestra of Belarusian State Academic Musical Academy, the Historic Dance Studio «Versal», the event-agency «BonBon» and others were the part of the organizing committee. Employees of the catering company and the flower-decorating company and other volunteers took part in the event. We had such a great festival only due to the total selfless enthusiasm and sincere desire to help to ill children.

The organizing committee began its work with searching for a suitable ball hall and meticulously examined about 10 buildings in Minsk. As a result it was decided that for such an event the was only one place suitable – it's a spacious hall on the second floor of Dom Moskvi. White columns, a huge crystal chandelier, parquet flooring, a comfortable balcony for an orchestra – the place was second to none in Minsk.

Fortunately, the administration of Dom Moskvi willingly not only provided us with the hall, but also took an active part in preparations to the Ball.

As besides funds gathering there was also a purpose to revive ancient noble traditions, we had to pay a lot of attention to the ball decoration. The work started with ball logotype development on a competition basis, than the web-site was created. On the basis of ballroom etiquette of XVIII century a new one was developed, taking into consideration the modern situation. For example, we had to add the whole paragraph about cell-phones usage at a public place.

We were especially worried about dress-code. We'd like to see men in tuxedos and tailcoats and women in evening ball gowns, but members of the organizing committee understood that not everyone, even among successful businessmen, had such clothes. After long discussion it was decided tat dress-code had to be simplified if possible. And ultimately it was the right decision: the guests were quite understanding about the occasion and were dresses accordingly.

The program was thoroughly thought over and checked. It included four 40-minute dancing parts. In breaks there were a lot of entertainments that didn't allow anyone to get bored.

The Ball started with a solemn waltz: of course, with «Waltz of the Flowers» by Chaikovsky from the ballet «The Nutcracker». The hosts of the Flower Ball Yanina Soborova and Vladimir Bogdan invited the guests in a ballroom and announced the program of the evening.

The ball manager was introduced to the guests. It was a representative of the Historic Dance Studio «Versal».

He announced the 1st dance immediately ¬ it was a solemn polonaise.

Contrary to fears, the guests were not shy and willingly agreed to take places in a ballroom. It appeared that the polonaise wasn't too difficult even for those who did it for the 1st time. Perhaps it was a bit simplified variant of polonaise, but it didn't spoil the solemn moment even a little bit.

Maybe professional and delicate support of the artists of the Historic Dance Studio «Versal» helped.

During waltzes you didn't have to specially invite anyone in a ballroom. Some people prepared to the Ball in advance and seriously: special clothes was made and dance lessons were taken. That's the revival of the traditions.

Symphony Orchestra of Belarusian State Academic Musical Theatre played a huge role in the Ball. Specially for it a musical program was chosen and thoroughly rehearsed.

The Kapellmeister of the Orchestra Yury Galyas and 25 orchestra people worked for free ¬ it was their contribution to this charity event.

The 2nd balcony over the ballroom was for VIP-guests of the Flower Ball, who made charity donations.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Italy in Belarus Mr. Arlando Abetti with his spouse, The Ambassador of Israel in Belarus Mr. Iosif Shagal with his spouse, the First Secretary of the Embassy of Israel in Belarus Mr. Gennadiy Poleschuk with his spouse, the President of the Red Cross Committee in the Republic of Belarus Victor Kolbanov, the President of the Committee of Refugee Affairs Jean Yves Bouchard, representatives of the Ministry of Health in the RB and Belarusian Children Hospice.

It was a pleasure to see Leonid Chavko among the guests, who as a deputy of the Chairman of the Humanitarian Department of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Belarus, helped to fulfill a lot of big charity projects.

Having mastered a polonaise the guests tried to dance polka.

Though, of course, the king of the ball will always be a waltz.

In a break there were several speeches about noble aims of the Ball. Including the speech of the VIP-guest, Rotarian, Past-Gubernator, Uwe Keiser, who had specially arrived to Belarus to participate at the Ball from his northern Dusseldorf.

Uwe Keiser announce that he came with gifts: 1,000 EUR from himself and 1,000 EUR from the Rotary Club «Neandertal». The donation, made by Uwe Keiser, was really appreciated. The President of RC «Minsk» presented the guest with a gratitude ¬ in written form and in frame.

To the 2nd break in a dance program a «musical salon» opened.

In a separate room guests could drink coffee with sweets and enjoy the music prepared by students of Musical Academy. The host of the program was Michael Kirichenko.

In a ballroom there was a charity auction during the break, which added money to the common sum of donations. For the auction famous Belarusian artists gave their works for free.

The dance program starts again, but ladies could get to other traditional activities for secular balls ¬ flirting with men…

and a bit of gossiping…

Traditional ballroom etiquette, which bans children from attending balls, in our case was violated but it was for the best.

And another tradition was preserved ¬ to come to a ball with whole family, as for example, Natasha and Elvira Potkiny.

Those who was at a ball for the 1st time, prepared especially thoroughly, as for example Lena Shamarova, the President of Minsk Interact.

Nevertheless, there were a lot of worries for the members of the organizing committee (left from Uwe Keiser is Elena Bondarenko, Michael Gokhman, Sergei Zhdanovich).

Yulia Grin represented Rotaract Club «Minsk» at the Ball. The Club had received the Charter not long before. And the member of the organizing committee Alla Gorbach made a great work to prepare the Ball.

During the whole event in the hall of Dom Moskvi there was a film shooting about the Ball ¬ equipment and stuff for this was provided by the member of RC «Minsk» Sergei Zhdanovich. To give an interview was another entertainment for the guests (Rotarian Igor Borisov with a spouse).

The Ambassador of Israel in Belarus Mr. Iosif Shagal expressed his vision of the charity.

The President of Belarusian House of Fashion Yanina Goncharova and the Head of Belarussian Fashion Week Klim Andreev came from Gomel especially for the Ball.

The guest of the Ball was also one of the most famous artists in Belarus Andrew Smolyakov with a wife Olga.

National artist of the Republic of Belarus Aleksandr Tihanovich came for a bit on his way to the station going to a tour. But he could not stay away from the event at all.

The director of the film was 18-year-old Polina Zhdanovich, a member of the club Rotaract, who headed a serious professional team. It wasn't the 1st professional film by Polina. Not long ago she shot the film about myopathy, about the illness, which we are fighting against with the help of donations from the Ball.

About 150 guests attended the Ball. With their active participation they supported the idea of the help to children, who suffered from the difficult illness.

Muscle myopathy is an incurable genetic disease in which the muscles are disrupted, including breathing muscles. Such patients have to stay at hospital for the whole life. Medical ventilators, that will be bought using money collected during the Ball, will allow to help little children to go home and lead their lives more fully.

The organizers were glad to hear that all guests pointed out a pleasant and warm atmosphere at the Ball. The members of the organizing committee suppose that it was possible due to the unity of efforts of those who care for a certain good purpose.

When leaving guests were presented with recorded music for a ball and a piece of specially ordered cake.

Due to the sponsors, guests and charity auction we collected 35,000 EUR and it allows us to buy 5 medical ventilators.

The 1st medical ventilator or ordered and paid for for Vlada Lisica (2,5-year-old, Minsk), the 2nd will be bought for Sasha Gradoev (1998, Oshmyany). The 3d one is ordered and paid for for Victor Maklakov (2012, Minsk), one more ¬ for Kirill Kremnis (2006, Vitebsk region), and the 5th ventilator is for Veronika Buhovec (9-year-old, Vitebsk region, Glubokoe).

The lives of these 5 children will change for the best. The Ball ended but there's still work for the organizing committee. On the web-site devoted to the Ball photos about transfer medical ventilators to the children will be placed. Besides it's time to start preparations for the next Ball.

The traditional annual visit of the District Governor in Belarus is always an important event for the Belarusian Rotarians.

Leslaw Morawski, the District 2230 Governor 2012/13, has been planning to visit Belarus for a long time, until finally there was the important reason for the trip, so it can not be postponed anymore – a presentation of the Charter to a new Rotary Club. Of course, the Governor as always managed to do a lot of important things at the same time: almost every minute of his three-day stay in Minsk was thoroughly planned. The Governor was able to talk with all three Minsk Rotary clubs – with heads of committees, to pay a visit to the Department of Humanities, where he held a private meeting with the Vise President Leonid Vladimirovich Chavko, to visit the Embassy of Poland and talk with the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in Belarus Leshek Sherepka.

A presentation of the Charter to a new club is always a very important event, because Rotary Clubs live long – some of them are more than a century.

The Belarusian Rotarians, trying to make the event solemn enough but not pompous at the same time, chose for the meeting not big, cozy and rather stylish Hall of Dom Moskvi.

The tribune was specially removed from the stage and placed closer to the first row to break the atmosphere of officialdom and turn the meeting into a discussion of friends and colleagues who talk as equals, sharing their experiences and opinions.

There was another important reason not to take the stage – it was given to the musicians. Enjoying a case, the Belarusian Rotarians held a «dress rehearsal» for the upcoming festival named after Czeslaw Niemen. Musicians have clearly shown the visitor from Poland that they know modern Polish music well and that it is very close to Belarusian one.

A wonderful Minsk group «Pawa» opened the meeting, which is evolved in reconstruction and modern treatment of old Belarusian tunes.

Leslaw Morawski, a lawyer by profession, was an experienced and charismatic public speaker. He easily captured the audience's attention – at the same time the language barrier was not a barrier at all. There were a lot of topics to discuss with the Governor – from the first of July 2013 new Rotary rules come into force – Future Vision Plan, which fully changes a lot of things in the organization to which club members have been getting used for many years.

As expected, Leslaw Morawski finished his speech with the most important topic for the sake of which, in fact, everyone gathered.

To the applauses the members of a new-born club went to the tribune and got insignia of Rotaract and the main document, a proof of formality, legality, and the attachment of Rotaract club «Minsk» to the organization «Rotary International» – the Charter.

It happened so that it had been personally signed by the acting president of «Rotary International» Sakudzi Tanaka.

Besides, there were other performances. The President of a very active Rotaract Club «Ratusha» Andrey Morozov told about what Rotaract clubs, that have been functioning for a long time, do in Belarus.

The Governor was absolutely impressed by a performance of Interact club «Minsk», which includes students before 18 years.

For Leslaw Morawski there were two surprises in the speech: first, self-presentation was held in a good Polish, which the children of Interact know quite well, and secondly – the Governor did not even know that there is Interact in Belarus.

There was also the third surprise – projects, that had been carried on by the club during its short history, are really impressive.

While under this impression, the Governor immediately invited the members of Interact to pay a visit to Poland by his personal invitation.

Of course, there was a traditional gift exchange. Galina Shabaylova, the President-elect of RC «Minsk» 2013/14, personally made a present to the Governor – a collection plate and a set of traditional Belarusian linen napkins for his wife.

As it turned out, the gift got to the point, since Leslaw collects such items.

The Meeting ended the same way as it began – with music. Several songs from the repertoire of Czeslaw Niemen were played by the leader of the group «White Blues Band» Yuri Nesterenko.

A performance of a popular and legendary song of Niemen «Dzivny eats ten holy» by Peter Elfimov was the culmination of a remarkable evening. No, it was no coincidence that Peter received the Grand Prix at the festival «Slavic Bazaar» for the performance of this particular song.

At the end, when the participants of the meeting started to leave their places, there was another great band – «Vspulna vandrovka» that wonderfully performs songs from the repertoire of Anna Herman.

Of course, the audience sang the familiar childhood tunes along with the performers. It was a great final.

Text: Yury BudkoPhotos: Vladimir Clybik, Elena Shamarova

]]>English newsTue, 30 Apr 2013 13:12:06 +0000The Project «Cookery» Arrives To Polandhttp://rotary.org.by/current-news/item/649-the-project-cookery-arrives-to-poland
http://rotary.org.by/current-news/item/649-the-project-cookery-arrives-to-polandThe charity project, aimed at a preparation of children from orphanages for independent life, will run in Poland now.

For two years Belarus has been welcoming various foreign guests, who took part in the project of Rotary Club Minsk «Cookery +». Its aim is to teach culture and cuisine of different countries to the pupils of Oshmyany boarding school. And now time came for Belarusian people to go to see the world and to tell about our native Belarus.

In February the 1st international act of the project «Cookery +» took place in Warsaw. After the reception of an invitation from Rotary Club «Victory» a small group from Rotaract and Rotary Club Minsk went to Poland.

The form of an action remained the same: introduction to the country and obligatory culinary component. Our peoples have the same history and it's no wonder that the national cuisine is alike. Different dish names, a bit different cooking technology but the same culinary preferences.

That's the picture of the orphanage in Warsaw.

Twenty pupils live here but attend an ordinary school and study together with other children on equal terms. Unfortunately, in Poland, as well as in Belarus, there's such a phenomenon as social orphans. It means that these children have parents, who are deprived of parental rights. But relatives can take the children during week-ends or holidays.

In Poland there's a law according to which it's banned to take pictures and use in mass-media photos of civilians without their concern. The same applies for children. In Belarus we haven't got such laws and in the beginning it was difficult to take pictures in a way that you could not recognize a child.

Polish children have a lot in common with Belarusian children. They are also open-minded and kind. There were almost no problems with language, because the Belarusian and the Polish are alike. Almost 40% of words sound the same. And if there is something ambiguous, you can always use gestures.

After multimedia presentation of Belarus the participants of the project and the children went to the kitchen to cook a traditional Belarusian dish Babka. In Poland there's also such a dish, but in different regions of the country it's called «kartonlyana babka» or «kugel». And in some places in Poland people don't know it at all.

Polish children cooked Belarusian-Polish Babka with pleasure. Everyone, boys and girls, participated in the process.

Nothing unites better than collective work and friendly meal.

The party was noisy and cheerful. The future plans were discussed. Now we wait Polish delegation to visit Belarus in return.

Special thanks to Renata Yaroslavskaya and her family for a warm reception and transportation support during our visit to the country. Renata is a frequent guest in Minsk. She made a lot for strengthening of Belarusian-Polish relationship. Talking to Renata makes you understand that Rotary is one big family with no boundaries.

]]>English newsWed, 20 Mar 2013 13:39:33 +0000Mr.Bruce Bucknell told the Rotarians about British volunteershttp://rotary.org.by/current-news/item/624-mrbruce-bucknell-told-the-rotarians-about-british-volunteers
http://rotary.org.by/current-news/item/624-mrbruce-bucknell-told-the-rotarians-about-british-volunteersFriendship between the Embassy of Great Britain and Rotary Club «Minsk» has already become traditional. And it is very important for the club not to break the tradition.

That's why when the information about the arrival of a new Head of the mission became public, the Ambassador was invited to a meeting of RC «Minsk» almost immediately. The previous Ambassador Rosemary Thomas visited the club in the past and gave the Rotarians a lecture on charity in Great Britain. Later she also gave a practical lesson, when the Rotarians visited a charity picnic for Minsk hospice, which has been supported by the Embassy of Great Britain for many years.

Coincidentally, Mr. Bucknell had come to Minsk before the Olympics in London started and his welcome party was at the same time as an opening ceremony of the Olympic games. So his report at the meeting in Rotary Club Mr. Ambassador began with this theme. It turned out that a lot of volunteers helped with the Olympic games in London. Their work was really outstanding.

After the report there was a free conversation between the Ambassador and the Rotarians (from all three Minsk clubs). They discussed a lot of other matters as well. Great Britain and RC «Minsk» happened to have great relationship. The Honorary Consul of Belarus in South Wales, Michael Rye works actively with charity projects in Mogilev. The chairman of the Irish charity fund «Chernobyl Children's Trust» Simon Walsh is involved in a big project of temporary houses building in the Children Oncological Centre in Borovlyany.

Now Mr.Bruce Bucknell is learning the Russian language actively. And despite of the fact that all club members, trying to be polite, addressed him in English, the guest with a smile asked to speak to him in Russian. The exception was made only for another guest of the meeting, Peter Elfimov, who sang Christ's aria from the rock opera «Jesus Christ Superstar» in good English. This way the final of the meeting was a bit dramatic, but rather optimistic. This will not be the last meeting for sure!

]]>English newsMon, 12 Nov 2012 14:50:57 +0000Oshmyany Is Going To Americahttp://rotary.org.by/current-news/item/554-oshmyany-is-going-to-america
http://rotary.org.by/current-news/item/554-oshmyany-is-going-to-americaOf course, we have to add “in their dreams”. But on the other hand – some part of it is real. Especially, after the visit of Rotarians from Rotary Club Minsk.

The meeting was a part of the project “Culinary classes with pluses”, where “the pluses” deal with national culture. This time it was a story about America.

As usual, lots of people visited Oshmyany. Leaders of the project Ekaterina Grinevich and Elena Mikulchiv received help from a Rotarian Aleksandr Zolotuhin and a group of students volunteers from BSU, FIR and a member of Rotaract from “Ratusha” Club.

Polina Vasilinyuk, a student of Belarusian State University prepared a presentation about American youth culture – graffiti and hip-hop. It wasn’t just a story; there was a whole collection of video, a little bit later, when the children moved to the sport hall, they could even practice hip-hop dancing. Such classes have been held since the very beginning of the project and are very popular among kids. Finally, even the shiest boys were dancing.

Then the children had an opportunity to meet a true American. Gregory Harrison, a volunteer from the USA, also took part in this project. As a responsible person, he prepared a presentation about his country, but he impressed everybody with his songs and his voice.

Gregory is a good singer, so his mini-concert pleased everyone. But the children made a mini-concert in response.

Ekaterina Grinevich prepared her story about the country of bison and hamburgers. She knows a lot about this subject – as she teaches English.

After that Elena Mikulchik presented her part of the project. She prepared some very special American dish.

This time the dish of the day was pumpkin cookies with cinnamon and chocolate chips. The recipe of this typically American dish wasn’t from a culinary book, it was a present from their American friends the Huffs – Rotarians and volunteers from Charitable Organization “SOFIA”.

The smells were the most delicious and mouth-watering.

The feast was the most wonderful!

After it the children felt themselves comfortable and cheerful.

The children showed the guests their unique museum.

There is a special stand, dedicated to Rotary Club. Which is easy to explain, as Rotary Club “Minsk” and the orphanage have long history of friendship. Everybody remembers, that the dormitory block was build by Rotarians.

In summer, Rotarians plan to start their new project, with the main idea – to build an ecological path.

It is always difficult to say good bye, nobody wants to finish this wonderful day.

But everybody knows, that it will be continued.

]]>English newsMon, 14 May 2012 06:50:46 +0000For Your Body And Soul To Be Young, Don’t Be Afraid Of Either Heat Or Coldhttp://rotary.org.by/current-news/item/553-for-your-body-and-soul-to-be-young-don’t-be-afraid-of-either-heat-or-cold
http://rotary.org.by/current-news/item/553-for-your-body-and-soul-to-be-young-don’t-be-afraid-of-either-heat-or-coldGroup of children from orphanage №4 started visiting one of the most popular Minsk fit club “Bagira” on the regular basis

A member of the rotary club «Ratusha» Natalia Novozhilova has come up with a wonderful project and realized it. Its very important super-task is, to put it in scientifically, to provide conditions for children from orphanages to socialize. In other words, there is a huge problem: even if you fully endow orphans, children still need to communicate normally with both their peers and adults

Natalia Novozhilova’s idea is simple: she has provided a group of teenagers from orphanage №4 with an opportunity to attend her fit club weekly.

Actually, even two groups of teenagers are involved – one group is for boys and one - for girls. Everything happens for real and in adult way: they have coaches and module programme. After trainings there is a sauna, and after sauna children drink fragrant herbal tea to restore. However group members change from time to time. A lot of children want to spend their Sunday morning in the gym – in fact, there are so many volunteers, that they can not fit in it. Children got a strong impetus to show good results in their studies, and attendance to fit club has become a prize for them, while being unable to visit it has become a punishment.

For the time being children communicate primarily with young instructors and the difference in age with them is not that big. A task in hand is to create mixed groups, where children from the orphanage would be able to communicate with children from ordinary schools in Minsk.

Natalia Novozhilova is very active, and this project just marks a beginning of another one, which is much larger. Where she intends to cover practically all Belarusian orphanages. It is about the contests and competitions in the fitness field among children and teenagers, for example - the competition for the title of "Miss Fitness". Everyone likes this idea and fully supports it. They need to develop a statute of the contest and man up an initiative group. Work is already underway.